Local News

Search for Kidnapper

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A 16-year old girl was kidnapped on her way home from a South Los Angeles high school and a witness said she later found the teen running naked down an alley, her mouth taped shut, her hands bound and her entire body dripping wet with gasoline, it was reported today.

Los Angeles police initially confirmed the kidnapping, but withheld details about the harrowing aftermath that the victim apparently suffered.

Ashley Lawrence, a woman who lives near Imperial Highway at New Hampshire Avenue, told ABC7 she rescued the naked, terrified teenager near a liquor store at about 8 p.m. Thursday.

``She couldn't scream, her mouth was tied up, she was running with her hands tied up, her mouth tied up, her neck tied, no underwear on. It was scary.''

The girl was barely able to run, and soaked with gas,'' Lawrence told ABC7. ``She was drenched, hair soaking wet, it's as if a person was just getting out of the shower (soaked with gas),'' Lawrence told ABC7.

`` I don't know how she escaped, an angel was looking after her but she got out,'' Lawrence said.

Police today only said the teenager was walking home from Fremont High School on Gage Avenue near San Pedro Street at 6:10 p.m. Thursday. A man walked up to her and forced her into a white U Haul van at knifepoint.

The suspect drove the girl to another location where he tried to sexually assault her. He then drove her to the alley near Imperial Highway and New Hampshire Avenue, just west of Vermont Avenue, where she was able to run away.

Police did not disclose any details about the reported rescue.

The suspect was described as a 5-foot, 7-inch tall black man between the ages of 20 and 33, with black hair, about 170 pounds and a dark complexion. His vehicle was described as a white cargo van with two doors to the rear and on the passenger side. The vehicle had U-Haul markings and the numbers ``19.95'' posted on the rear of the van.

Newton station detectives asked anyone with any information regarding the suspect or his vehicle to call them at (877) 527-3247.